Healthy Fluids

Have you ever hidden your smile when you are among other people because you are embarrassed by it? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of people have teeth that have been stained by things like coffee, tea, smoking, or even as a result of aging. If you are experiencing embarrassment because of your teeth, the procedure of teeth whitening may be the solution you need. Best of all, it is a simple solution that anyone can enjoy.

Just as you would prior to any procedure, you should receive a thorough exam from your dentist before undergoing treatment. This is to ensure that there are no issues such as cracks, broken fillings or decay that might be affected by the whitening solution. Your dentist can then explain the whitening process to you.

Although over-the-counter solutions are becoming increasingly popular, Bee Cave dentists recommend that you receive the treatment from a professionally trained dentist. Over-the-counter kits generally contain only a small concentration of effective ingredients, so are not especially effective. Professional solutions have a higher concentration of the ingredients necessary, thus producing better results. It is also much safer to have teeth whitened by a professional to ensure that the procedure is done properly. The process is much quicker than a do it yourself kit. In fact, you will walk away from our office with beautiful white teeth while you may have to wait three to four weeks for at-home kits to bring about the same degree of whitening.

Most people are aware of the obvious benefit of teeth whitening, which is a more dazzling smile, but there are additional benefits as well. Realize, however, that returning to your old habits of drinking tea, coffee or soda or smoking, will undo the whitening process.

Avoid food and drink that stains your teeth while you are undergoing teeth whitening treatments. These foods can make any teeth whitening efforts to fail. Not only will you have a brighter smile, but you will also be making a positive improvement in your life.

There are a number of over-the-counter teeth whitening products. They can make your smile look dazzling. But you also need to floss, brush and see the dentist regularly. Your teeth can look superficially white while you are suffering from gum disease or cavities. Teeth whitening is no substitute for proper dental care.

Use what you have learned to create a better system for dental maintenance. You don't want the dentist to say it looks like you ate some mud when you go in for your next teeth cleaning or procedure. Instead, you want to be maintaining what he or she has done for your mouth.